Chapter 16 - THE ISLAND OF NEW BEGINNINGS
The private jet soared smoothly above the crystal-clear waters of the Mediterranean Sea.
Rosa leaned her head against the plush leather seat, watching the fluffy white clouds drift lazily past the thick window.
She still could not completely wrap her mind around the sheer reality of her new life.
A week ago, she was standing at the altar in the gardens of the Caldwell estate, promising her heart to the most incredible man she had ever known.
Now, she was thousands of feet in the air, flying toward a secret honeymoon destination that Ethan had strictly refused to reveal.
Lily was fast asleep on the oversized sofa in the back of the cabin, safely tucked under a cashmere blanket with her beloved stuffed rabbit.
Ethan reached across the aisle, his large, warm hand gently enveloping Rosa’s much smaller one.
"You are thinking entirely too loudly, Mrs. Caldwell," Ethan teased softly, a brilliant smile playing on his handsome face.
Rosa blushed slightly, looking down at the heavy, beautiful sapphire ring glittering flawlessly on her left hand.
"I am just waiting to wake up from this incredibly beautiful dream," Rosa admitted, her voice barely above a delicate whisper.
"I can assure you, my love, this is all very real," Ethan promised, bringing her knuckles up to his lips for a tender kiss.
The jet began its slow descent, banking gently to reveal a stunning, perfectly secluded private island surrounded by impossibly blue water.
"Ethan, where exactly are we?" Rosa gasped, her dark eyes widening at the sheer, breathtaking beauty of the lush green landscape.
"This is our new summer home," Ethan replied casually, as if he were simply pointing out a nice restaurant on the street.
"I purchased the island a few days after I found you and Lily in the east parlor."
Rosa turned to look at him in absolute shock, her jaw dropping slightly.
"You bought an entire tropical island because you found us?" she asked, completely bewildered by his massive display of wealth and devotion.
"I wanted a place where the press, the society snobs, and the rest of the chaotic world could never, ever reach you," Ethan explained, his silver eyes completely serious.
"This island belongs exclusively to the Caldwell family, and no one sets foot on it without our direct permission."
The plane landed smoothly on the private runway, and they were immediately greeted by the warm, salty ocean breeze.
For the next two weeks, they did absolutely nothing but walk along the pristine white beaches, build lopsided sandcastles with Lily, and watch the sun dip below the horizon.
There were no massive corporate mergers to worry about, and no judgmental socialites to politely ignore.
It was just the three of them, existing entirely in a bubble of pure, unadulterated happiness.
One evening, as they sat on the wooden deck of their luxury villa watching the tide roll in, Rosa finally brought up a conversation they desperately needed to have.
"Ethan, I cannot just sit around the mansion for the rest of my life letting the staff do everything for me," Rosa said softly, tracing circles on his broad chest.
"I want to do something meaningful, something that helps women who are struggling exactly like I was."
Ethan looked down at her, his heart swelling with an impossible amount of pride and deep, overwhelming love.
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"I have already had my legal team draft the initial paperwork," Ethan smiled, kissing the top of her head.
"The Rosa Caldwell Foundation for Women and Children is officially waiting for its brilliant CEO to return to New York."
